Georgia

Georgia's state law (Senate Bill 90) went into effect July 1, 2005. The law
prohibits
smoking in some enclosed public places and workplaces. Smoking is allowed
in restaurants and bars that do not admit or employ people under 18 years old.
For information, contact the America Lung Association of Georgia at (770) 434-5864.

Georgia Regents University observed the American Cancer Societys Great
American Smokeout campaign Thursday with commit to quit stations to
encourage students, staff and community members to kick the tobacco
habit.

Though the University System of Georgia board of regents won't say why
it included e-cigarettes in its month-old ban of all forms of smoking
even those without smoke students tell The Red & Black they don't
think it has to do with the public-health effects of vaping itself.

Local parent lobbies for smoking ban in city parks ... when he asked
council to consider banning smoking - and possibly use of all tobacco
... Currently, the Athens Arts, Parks and Recreation Department has
a rule that bans smoking in city parks, but ... Risner mentioned snuff
and chew specifically in what could be banned if ...

At the University of Georgia, students voiced their concerns through
an organized protest on Tate Plaza last Tuesday, Sept. 30. About 50
students attended throughout the 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. time block.

During the Phi Kappa Society Smoking Ban debate on October 2 in Phi
Kappa ... of Georgia policy banning the use of tobacco products on campus
following, ... She compared this to many bars and restaurants that have
banned smoking in ...

Georgia hopes to clear the air on its public school campuses with a
smoking and tobacco ban that goes into effect Wednesday. But students
are sending up mixed signals from campus about the move. ... When the
ban goes into effect on the the 31 colleges and universities that make
up the University System of Georgia (USG), students will be joining
hundreds of campuses across the country that have already instituted
rules to try to make campuses 100 percent smoke-free, according to Americans
for Nonsmokers Rights, a national lobbying organization. The number
has grown to 1,478 in 2014, compared to 446 in October 2010.

DAHLONEGA - It became official Wednesday. The University System of Georgia's
ban on tobacco products at all of its member schools went into effect.
The university system ban also includes cigarettes, smokeless tobacco,
any other tobacco products and e-cigarettes.

A group of approximately a dozen University of Georgia students gathered
and took a final smoke break in Tate Plaza on Tuesday to protest the
campus-wide smoking prohibition set to go into effect on Wednesday.
The protest, which ran from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m, was organized by The
Arch Conservative, an opinion-based, student publication at UGA and
included lounging in a mix of arm chairs and lawn chairs while others
stood and talked to passersby while smoking tobacco products.

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) Public universities and colleges in Georgia
are joining a growing list of campuses that prohibit tobacco use. In
2010, less than 450 colleges had smoking bans according to Americans
for Nonsmokers Rights. By Wednesday, that number will be nearly 1,500.
Close to 20 colleges in Massachusetts ban tobacco. A student at one
of those schools says many smokers still get away with it...

In accordance with the University System of Georgia's new policy regarding
the use of tobacco products on its campuses, Georgia Highlands College
broadened its existing prohibitive policy. The new Tobacco and Smoke
Free Campus Policy begins Oct. 1. In March, the USG Board of Regents
voted to ban all forms of tobacco use, including electronic cigarettes,
at its 31 colleges and universities across the state.

Students at the University of Georgia are protesting a new smoking ban
by, well, smoking. The ban, which starts Oct. 1, covers all forms of
smoking, including the new types of smokeless tobacco such as e-cigarettes,
despite the new cigarettes only producing water vapor.

ATHENS, Ga. Amid carefree talk of starting lineups, one public notice
to the Sanford Stadium crowd on a recent Saturday stood out: Beginning
Oct. 1, the University of Georgia will be among the academic institutions
in this state that prohibit tobacco products from its campuses. The
restrictions will take effect as a rising number of colleges across
the country rush to lay down new limits on tobacco use. In October 2010,
according to the lobbying group Americans
for Nonsmokers Rights, fewer than 450 colleges had enacted smoking
bans. By Wednesday, that number will have increased to nearly 1,500,
with most of those schools having prohibited all forms of tobacco.

MORROW Clayton State University and other members of the University
System of Georgia are set to become tobacco-free campuses Wednesday.
... The new policy includes all areas on campus including the indoor
and outdoor spaces, parking lots and vehicles, where tobacco products
are prohibited. Officials define tobacco products as cigars, cigarettes,
pipes, hookahs, all forms of smokeless tobacco, clove cigarettes and
other smoking devices such as vapor and electronic cigarettes.

VSU plans to adopt this justification with a new campus-wide tobacco
ban. ... The negative effects of first and second hand smoke were a
major motivation for ... If this kind of policy is enforced, what is
stopping the university from banning other ...

Nicotine is out at Georgias public universities this fall. In a far-reaching
ban, the University System of Georgia is barring the use of all forms
of tobacco -- from cigarettes to smokeless, hookahs to e-cigarettes
-- starting Oct. 1

MONROE The Walton County Board of Education will revise its policies
on tobacco on school grounds and events following discussion at Tuesdays
monthly worksession. Prompted by a request from the state Health Department
which is asking for similar concessions from other school systems across
Georgia the board will add provisions to the existing policies forbidding
tobacco use at schools and scholastic sporting events

One of the last bars in downtown Macon that allowed smoking has officially
gone cold ... The Hummingbird's ban on lighting up inside is effective
September 1. ... But Ringwood, who's seen bans before, says the foot
traffic will continue after the ...

As the new school year gets under way, a new policy will impact Albany
State University students, faculty and staff. In accordance with the
Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia and the Georgia
Smoke Free Air Act of 2005, Title 31 Chapter 12A, ASU is banning the
use of tobacco products on campus. Banned products include cigarettes,
cigars, pipes, all forms of smokeless tobacco, clove cigarettes and
any smoking device that uses tobacco such as hookahs, or simulate the
use of tobacco such as electronic cigarettes. The policy is effective
Oct. 1.

It's joining schools across Georgia in banning tobacco from campus.
"I don't ... At Fort Valley State, the idea of lighting up a cigarette
is going up in smoke. "It's bad ... The new policy bans all forms
of tobacco from many universities in Georgia.

...voted 3-2, with council members Leonard Church and Jim Sebastian
opposed, to approve an ordinance removing smoking areas from city parks,
making Kennesaw's 130 acres of public parks smoke free. The ordinance
also includes the city's public cemeteries...

A new University System of Georgia Board of Regents policy requires
all of Georgia's public college and universities to be smoke free by
Oct. 1. Savannah State's ban begins Sept. 1. Tobacco products have been
banned at Georgia Southern University since...

Georgia Southern University will be tobacco free starting Friday, in
accordance with a new policy by the University System of Georgias Board
of Regents. The boards policy calls for colleges and universities within
the system to be tobacco free by Oct. 1. Georgia Southern elected to
adopt the policy on August 1, two months ahead of the regents' deadline.
I also think it's absolutely ridiculous that they are also saying that
electronic cigarettes can't be used on campus, Davis said. They're not
even giving people an ...

ATLANTA As of today, July 1, 2014, it is against the law in Georgia
to sell or distribute any electronic cigarette to a person who is under
the age of 18 years old. The Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH)
is urging caution about the use and exposure of children to electronic
nicotine delivery systems, including electronic cigarettes and other
emissions producing products.

FORSYTH COUNTY The Forsyth County commission is considering an ordinance
that would prohibit the use of electronic cigarettes in county buildings
and parks and recreation facilities except in designated areas.

County Commissioners are expecting to pass a broad ordinance to ban
parking on the side of the road around the Kia plant following area
residents continued complaints of people loitering and littering.

The Augusta Commission voted Tuesday to hold a work session on a potentially
tougher smoking ordinance, but supporters got good news when one of
the commissioners who opposed a previous effort said she would like
to broaden the current law. .. That said, we definitely need to broaden
the smoking ordinance we currently ... chair of BreathEasy Coalition
that pushed for the last two tougher ordinances, ...

With electronic cigarettes becoming increasingly popular, cities around
the United States are taking notice and changing laws. On April 29,
New York, Chicago ... We do not know that e-cigarettes are safe and
need to restrict them until further research is conducted, said Jennifer
Anderson, the chairwoman of BreathEasy Augusta. Since e-cigarettes are
not regulated by the Federal Trade Commission, there is no scientific
data to support the safety of e-cigarettes for the user and for others
in close proximity who inhale the emitted e-cigarette vapors.

Public health connects us all. And positive change happens when we partner
together, whether thats policymakers, business owners or grassroots
organizations. Reducing exposure to secondhand smoke is a basic health
issue that we all need to support. In a landmark 2006 report, the U.S.
surgeon general stated unequivocally that there is no safe amount of
secondhand smoke. Consider too that secondhand smoke contains more than
4,000 chemicals, many of which are toxic and can cause cancer. Organizations
such as Healthy Augusta are working to reach the goal of clean air for
workers in Augusta and the CSRA. When I was asked by community leaders
to re-establish Healthy Augusta in October 2013, we immediately knew
that reducing exposure to secondhand smoke would be one of our primary
goals.

On May 6, the Augusta Commission is voting on an ordinance to help create
a healthier Augusta. We refer to it as the BreathEasy Augusta campaign,
and it is designed to eliminate smoking in Augustas workplaces and ask
those who smoke to simply take it outside.

Tobacco use will be banned on Georgia public college campuses starting
Oct. 1st. ... The ban will be applied to buildings and spaces owned,
leased or used by ... SSU currently allows smoking on campus, but smokers
have to be at least ...

The University System of Georgias Board of Regents has voted unanimously
to ban all tobacco use on public college campuses, including the University
of West Georgia, beginning Oct. 1. .. Under the ban, all forms of tobacco
including smokeless tobacco and electronic cigarettes will be prohibited
on campus property. UWG adopted its current ...

In 2005 Georgia enacted a smoking ban for restaurants and pubs that
serve or employ people under age eighteen. At the time, a bartender
at Manuels Tavern announced, Dont worry, were not banning cigarettes;
were banning kids! But in 2014 the storied establishment, where countless
politicos have done their wheeling and dealing in nimbus clouds of tobacco,
banned smoking altogether. Manuels, however, is the exception that proves
an enduring rule in Atlanta. Which is this: If youre heading out to
a bar, expect to come home smelling like an ashtray. Of the fifty most
populous cities in the country, Atlanta is one of only seventeen without
a total ban on smoking in restaurants and bars. Not only are we an outlier
nationally, but were also bucking a statewide trend. Georgia cities
small and largeDecatur, Albany, Savannah, Columbus, and Athens, to name
a few already have smoking bans on the books. ...

The University System of Georgias Board of Regents has voted unanimously
to ban all tobacco use on public college campuses beginning Oct. 1.
Under the ban approved at the Regents' meeting March 18, all forms of
tobacco including smokeless tobacco and electronic cigarettes will be
prohibited on ...

The United States Surgeon General issued the first report claiming that
smoking cigarettes can lead to lung cancer in men and women 50 years
ago. ...No one should have to choose between their job and their health,
said Bronson Frick, the associate director of ANR. ANR is the primary
national lobbying ...

Do not smoke em if you got em! Smoking will be banned on the University
of Georgia and other public college campuses effective Oct. 1 after
a state Board of Regents vote Wednesday, Mar. 19. The tobacco- and smoke-free
policy states that the use of all forms of tobacco products, including
cigarettes, cigars, pipes, chewing tobacco and electronic cigarettes,
will be prohibited on any property owned, leased, rented or in the possession
of the University System of Georgia, which means no smoking anywhere
on UGAs campus, including the parking lots.

ATLANTA, March 19 (Reuters) - Smoking will be banned on all campuses
of Georgia's public colleges and universities, beginning next fall,
"We have been noticing over the last five years an enormous growth
in the number of campuses that are passing smoke-free and completely
tobacco-free campus policies," said the nonprofit group's chief
executive, Cynthia Hallett. ...

University System Of Georgia Bans All Tobacco Products >From School
Campuses ... Wednesday banning all forms of tobacco on campuses beginning
October 1, 2014 ... students and found that most are in favor of the
smoke free policy on campus. ... If adopted by the Board of Regents,
the tobacco ban would affect all 31 ...

And at that designated smoking spot, we found not only pushback to the
idea, but blowback ... area, MaryAnn Taylor questions the motivation
behind the tobacco ban. ... But just banning things, its just more rules,
more laws, more regulations ...

Some 1,100 college campuses nationwide have already banned tobacco,
and research has shown such bans are effective in reducing the number
of people who smoke, Fedrick ... About a dozen Georgia public colleges
already ban smoking.

ATLANTA (AP) The Georgia Board of Regents has voted to implement a system-wide
ban on the use of all forms of tobacco products. University System of
Georgia officials said in a statement Wednesday that the ban will also
apply to events being hosted by institutions within the system and exceptions
may be made for research purposes.

The state Board of Regents, meeting as a full committee, on Tuesday
unanimously approved a tobacco ban for all 31 public colleges and universities
in the University System of Georgia. The board will take a final vote
on the ban Wednesday.

Beer bust favorite Joe's on Juniper says it's banning smoking inside
and corralling smokers into a designated area on its popular patio.
The public has overwhelmingly spoken and we would like to formally announce
that the inside of our restaurant will be non smoking starting Monday
March 24.

Smoking on state college campuses might soon become a thing of the past.
The state Board of Regents is set to vote on a policy next week which
would ban the use of tobacco products on college campuses, including
the University of Georgia.

With the growing popularity of electronic cigarettes, NCSS has added
them as a ... In contrast to last year's handbooks' section named Tobacco
Use, the BOE has ... rule that states secondary students must
display ID badges where provided.

A gay Atlanta man is reigniting the debate over banning smoking in bars
and restaurants in fact, everywhere in Atlanta and created an easy way
for supporters to back the effort. Patrick Busko, a Realtor, created
a Facebook page two years ago to chronicle his attempts to stomp out
the smokes inside bars and restaurants.

Elected officials are eyeing a ban on smoking in Smyrnas city parks.
City Council heard a draft ordinance that would prohibit smoking in
city parks for the first time Monday night at a work session prior to
its regular meeting.

When the Georgia Board of Regents meets next week, the Tobacco and Smoke-Free
Campus policy that was introduced last month to the on Personnel and
Benefits Committee will likely be brought before the full board.

SAVANNAH, GA - Students and faculty at our area colleges might not be
able to light up a cigarette on campus soon. The board governing Georgia's
university system is expected to vote in February on a system-wide campus
tobacco ban...

A proposal is being considered by the Board of Regents (BOR) that bans
all tobacco use at VSU and the 30 other institutions overseen by the
University System of Georgia (USG). According to the American Nonsmokers
Rights Foundation, 1,182 college campuses in the U.S. are smoke-free,
and 811 of those campuses are completely tobacco-free.

On the way back to his apartment on the residential property of Dalton
State College, Timon Wilson will sometimes make a quick stop. He is
not a chain smoker, but as an 18-year-old freshman experiencing the
rigors of college life for the first time, Wilson puffs an occasional
cigarette after class. In Georgia, according to the American Nonsmokers'
Rights Foundation, which tracks schools nationwide that adopt tobacco-free
policies, 20 schools in the state, many of them technical colleges and
non-USG institutions, have banned tobacco from their campuses. Those
numbers don't include schools like Dalton State that allow tobacco only
in specific spots. Nationwide, the trend of a tobacco-free campus is
growing rapidly, said Bronson Frick, associate director of ANR. As of
Jan. 2 at least 1,182 campuses nationwide are smoke-free and of those
811 are tobacco-free, ANR reported. "Ultimately it's about questioning
what the role of tobacco is in an academic setting," Frick said.
"The fact that it has snowballed from just a handful of schools
to over a thousand shows that this policy is not only popular, but that
schools don't want to go back to the way things were."

What's the truth about e-cigarettes? Georgia State Universitys School
of Public Health aims to find out. The school and its partners will
receive $19 million over five yearsthe largest grant in the universitys
historyfrom the FDA and the National Institutes of Health to create
one of fourteen Tobacco Centers of Regulatory Science. The research
will be led by Michael Eriksen, dean of GSUs School of Public Health.

A preliminary committee vote on a tobacco ban for all of Georgia's
31 ... the use all types of tobacco products  including cigarettes,
smokeless tobacco and ... The proposal would also prohibit any tobacco
advertising, and would apply to all ...

The University System of Georgia is looking at banning tobacco use on
all of its campuses. Arkansas, Iowa and Oklahoma are the only states
with a statewide tobacco ban at all public colleges and universities,
according to the American Nonsmokers Rights Foundation. Other states
have lengthy lists of tobacco-free campuses, but no top-down mandate.
The foundation's Bronson Frick says such changes typically have sprung
from students and faculty. "Traditionally this issue has had a
bottom-up approach," Frick says.

ATLANTA Fifteen years ago, Georgia and other states settled lawsuits
against the nations major tobacco companies to recover tobacco-related
health costs. Total payments for the states were huge estimated at $246
billion over the first 25 years.

The University of Georgia is the last educational institution in Athens
that still allows smoking on campus. The Board of Regents, which set
university policy statewide, is set to discuss a policy Wednesday that
would prohibit the use of tobacco and electronic cigarettes on college
and university campuses across Georgia, and if the regents adopt the
policy it would take effect July 1st.

Fifteen years ago, Georgia and other states settled lawsuits against
the nations major tobacco companies to recover tobacco-related health
costs. Total payments for the states were huge estimated at $246 billion
over the first 25 years. Georgias anti-tobacco funding exceeds that
of Southeastern neighbors Alabama and North Carolina but is surpassed
by South Carolina, Tennessee, Louisiana and Mississippi. GHN reported
in September that a growing list of Georgia colleges and universities
have implemented anti-tobacco policies on campus. ...

SAVANNAH, GA - It's been three years since a controversial smoking ban
took effect in Savannah, and some bar owners tell us it's still hurting
business. We called about a dozen bars and restaurants Wednesday. Some
told us the ban is turning customers away and cutting down on their
bottom line. But others say more people seem to enjoy the smoke-free
environment, than those who don't. And plenty of employees appreciate
it as well. ...

Throughout its storied 58-year history, three things have remained constant
at Atlantas politico watering hole Manuels Tavern. The citys scribblers
can always score a scoop if you wait around long enough. The taverns
telepathic bartenders know you want another drink before you do. And
at the end of the evening, your clothes are a walking billboard for
Lucky Strikes. No more. As of opening today, the tavern Manuel Maloof
built is now completely smoke-free. Owner Brian Maloof made the official
announcement on the bars Facebook page this week. ...

Members of American Legion Post 160 in Smyrna have voted to ban indoor
smoking in the organization's social room starting on Jan. 2, 2014.
According to an American Legion Post 160 press release, 44 out of 60
voting members cast their ballots in favor of a smoking ban, which Post
Commander Harold Watkins believes will encourage new members to join
and increase overall member participation in the post's activities.

Glynn County Commission Chairwoman Mary Hunt is hoping to start clearing
the air over most county property by asking the commission to consider
a ban on tobacco use at all property except beaches and the St. Simons
Island pier.

Dr. Hopkins, an orthopedic surgeon, is calling for a ban of all tobacco
products on every campus in Georgia. His reasoning isnt hard to figure
out. Those chemicals we listed above are some of the more than 4,000
substances found in tobacco smoke almost none of which are 100-percent
safe to breathe

Smoking in public places, a proposed excise tax on manufacturers to
help fill an $8.5 million gap in the 2014 general fund budget and the
Richmond County Board of Elections closed-door meeting to discuss the
date of next years nonpartisan elections were hot topics in Augusta
last week.

LEESBURG, GA (WALB) - There's a new way some students are sneaking a
smoke break at school. The principal at Lee County High says they're
seeing an increase of electronic cigarettes on campus. Those devices
are prohibited at school and there are consequences for students caught
with them.

A day after the sound defeat of a proposed tougher smoking ordinance
by the Augusta Commission, the group pushing it was holding its weekly
meeting Wednesday and planning to continue to advocate for it. While
there is a solid philosophical opposition among some commission members
to considering the ban on smoking in almost all public places, the fate
of future ordinances is up in the air. Members of the BreathEasy Augusta
coalition were still smarting from the quick demise of the proposed
ordinance by a 6-4 vote, in part because they were not allowed to present
their arguments and evidence for it, said coalition chair Jennifer Anderson,
a respiratory therapist at Georgia Regents Medical Center.

Smokers in Augusta can continue to light up in bars and private clubs,
at least for the near future. Augusta commissioners voted six to four
to reject a proposal to strengthen the city's smoking ordinance. Breath-easy
Augusta was the driving force behind the measure, and officials promise
to be back, but understand there needs to be a cooling off period before
another try.

I have a young friend who worked in bars and restaurants to support
herself during college. She loved the people she met as well as the
flexible hours, which enabled her to maintain a busy school schedule.
One thing she didnt love? The smoky environment. This is why BreathEasy
Augusta, a community coalition, is advocating for smoke-free workplaces
in Richmond County, including bars. Our workers deserve better. In particular,
blue-collar and service workers are the most exposed group to secondhand
smoke and with Georgia in the nations top 10 for unemployment, job-hopping
to avoid secondhand smoke is not an option. Every worker deserves a
healthy workplace. And guess what? Other locales that have smoke-free
ordinances have found that businesses actually thrive. For one, they
avoid the costs associated with secondhand smokeroughly $10 billion
in medical costs and lost wages, according to Americans for Nonsmokers
Rights.

In July 2005, the Georgia Smokefree Air Act became law. The intent of
the law was to reduce secondhand smoke exposure for employees and patrons.
Even though all Georgians are governed by this law, the 2005 legislation
does not protect all workers and citizens from secondhand smoke. It
falls short of protecting a significant number of business employees
and employees and patrons at outdoor venues, community parks and recreation
centers.

Augusta, GA - The plan to ban smoking in Augusta bars is re-igniting.
For the second time in a year, Augusta Commissioners are talking about
creating a comprehensive smoking ordinance. It would prohibit smoking
and e-cigarettes in all businesses, including bars and night clubs.

A proposed ordinance to ban smoking in bars in Augusta and other public
places will be considered by the Augusta Commission without a recommendation
after a committee voted Monday to send it along. We restrict freedoms
to look out for those who cannot look out for ... And if they succeed
on smoking, will they be back to tackle obesity, Guilfoyle wondered.

With skates strapped to their feet, patrons of Skateland of Augusta
whizzed past speakers blaring live music Sunday as they rounded the
rink in the Old School Skate Jam. The event, coordinated by musicians
Tony Howard and Lewis McTush in connection with BreathEasy Augusta,
drew more than 100 people to the small rink for an evening of music,
skating and education.

ITS TIME THAT the Augusta Commission members got educated on the dangers
of second-hand smoke. They need to read the evidence of those dangers
before they vote again on the banning of smoking in bars and other public
places. Its time to act in a responsible manner.

The proposed city-wide smoking ban will be discussed for the first time
... The city of Norcross banned smoking in public places in May 2012,
after similar bans went ... He likes the idea of banning smoking in
city parking lots, but was unsure of ...

The Family Y of Greater Augusta has been an Augusta institution for
more than 150 years. One of our primary focuses at the Family Y is to
promote healthy living within our community. One of our primary focuses
at the Family Y is to promote healthy living within our community. As
a member of the BreathEasy Augusta coalition, we believe there are no
safe levels of smoking or second-hand smoke. To eliminate the adverse
health impact of secondhand smoke on the public, it is imperative to
prohibit smoking in workplaces and spaces open to the public. We are
not advocating a ban on smoking it is simply asking smokers to step
outside to smoke while protecting the rights of workers and patrons
to breathe clean air.

Kennesaw leaders are eyeing a plan that would make the act of lighting
up a crime almost everywhere in the city outside of private residences.
If Kennesaw were to move forward and adopt the proposed ordinance, it
would become the first city in Cobb County to ban smoking, not only
at public parks and city-owned buildings but at all privately owned,
indoor work places.

Several Georgia colleges began to take more interest in such restrictions
after Emory University, an Atlanta institution with a nationwide reputation,
declared in 2012 that it was becoming tobacco-free. That means it now
prohibits all forms of tobacco use.

Atlanta Motor Speeway officials announced today that all grandstand
and suite seating areas at the facility will be smoke free for events
beginning in 2014, including the annual NASCAR Labor Day race weekend.
Smoking will still be permitted in designated areas ...

MILLEDGEVILLE, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) - Restaurants and bars in downtown
Milledgeville are cracking down on lighting up. State law says you can't
smoke in those places, but businesses found a loophole, that is until
now. It's written in black and white: no smoking. But just a few months
ago, customers at The Brick could light up.

Tony Howard's deep voice belies more than 30 years of singing and performing
in what is now called the Tony Howard Motown Show. What you won't hear
is what secondhand smoke has stolen from him, he said.

Those pushing for smoke-free bars and other public places in Augusta
will get a boost from entertainers next week, but the introduction of
a proposed ordinance is likely weeks away. Augusta Mayor Pro Tem Corey
Johnson, who helped shepherd a tougher smoking ordinance last year before
the Augusta Commission before it was voted down, said he has no immediate
plans to bring it back up. Weve still got a few things we need to deal
with, he said. I just havent had much time to talk with colleagues and
see where they were on this thing. It could be late September or October
before Johnson brings it back up. Augusta is covered by a state law
that bans smoking in restaurants but allows it in bars and places that
do not admit anyone younger than 18.

In the next couple of months, the Augusta Commission will hear arguments
about the merits of instituting a smoke-free workplace ordinance in
Augusta. While some people consider this issue a smoking rights issue,
it is not. It is a public health issue.

Couple of weeks back I had the opportunity to visit Germany. Im not
particularly fond of wiener schnitzel and Im too southern to ever get
used to warm beer, but I must tell you the Germans are seriously good
engineers and the autobahn works. Driving without speed limits may not
sound like a good idea, but youll just have to trust me were missing
out.

PORTERDALE -- A Porterdale city councilman is proposing a ban on smoking
in vehicles transporting children. Harper said there's no reason smoking
restrictions shouldn't also apply to vehicles, noting it's illegal to
have an open container in the car. Harper is the official ...

I lost 25 percent of my lung capacity from secondhand smoke exposure
working in bars and restaurants while I was in college. Many college
students work in these ... I urge city leaders to make our citys
bars smoke-free to give everyone a chance at ...

We don't have much of a dog in this fight. We don't smoke, and we don't
go to bars that allow smoking. And restaurants that allow minors are
already smoke-free under Georgia law. But Augusta is debating a stronger
smoking ban again, and the usual arguments are being aired.

Those who want a tougher smoking ordinance in Augusta will rally Friday
to show their support at a bar that went smoke-free earlier this year.
BreathEasy Augusta will hold a rally during First Friday beginning at
6 p.m. at Joes Underground Cafe, 144 Eighth St. The group will be grilling
hotdogs and providing T-shirts for those who would like to volunteer
at future events.

The Jonesboro City Council appeared ready to enact some form of a ban
on smoking on city property this week, but what that prohibition will
look like remains to be seen. At the very least, council members indicated
they were in agreement that a smoking ban should be put in place at
the citys parks. What remains unclear is whether they will go as far
as banning smoking at City Hall, public works facilities and the Jonesboro
Police Department headquarters as well. Mayor Joy Day is pushing for
a total ban on all properties, but council members appear to be stuck
on the issue of how far is too far.

With gay Atlanta bars pushing smokers out, where's a gay supposed to
go for a few puffs? Starbucks, right? The outdoor area of the coffee
chain at Ansley Mall is a haven for bears who smoke. Not any more. The
move by the fancy coffee chain follows several gay bars that have banned
indoor smoking or severely limited it. The latest was Burkhart's, which
snuffed out smoking last week. Eagle put smokers out on its decks in
April. Heretic limited smoking to its Pub Bar and deck in March, My
Sister's Room started in mid-March and Mary's snuffed out smoking indoors
on April 1. Ten Atlanta opened as smoke-free in January and Jungle pushed
smokers to a single area last year. Mixx and Cockpit are also smoke-free
indoors.

Firsthand smoke is the direct inhalation of smoke from burning tobacco
encased in cigarettes, pipes and cigars. The environmental tobacco smoke
that is inhaled involuntarily or passively by someone who is not smoking
is secondhand smoke. Did you know there is a thirdhand? According
to the American Nonsmokers' Rights Foundation, Athens is one of
nine areas in Georgia to ban smoking in all restaurants and bars. The
state's Smokefree Air Act, which went into effect in 2005, bans smoking
statewide in all enclosed workplaces in Georgia, except as otherwise
designated.

A one-night stand at Burkharts has turned into a week-long trial
run that may mean the longtime gay Atlanta bar is getting hitched to
the idea of banning smoking indoors. As many of you know, various
establishments are changing their policies in an effort to restrict
indoor smoking. We have been monitoring these changes and are ...

ALBANY, GA -- The Albany-Dougherty Aviation Commission voted to allow
the new terminal to have one designated smoking area going against the
prior proposal to make the new building a smoke- free campus.

The A.L. Burruss Institute of Public Service and Research sent out voluntary
email surveys to Kennesaw State students, faculty and staff to determine
whether the KSU community supports a campus-wide ban on smoking.

They think that if something is banned, it won't be around to cause
harm. ... The first problem in any discussion of banning something is
that any ban infringes ... The researchers found that smoking bans don't
have any significant effect on the ...

The owner of Manuels Tavern in Virginia Highland fought hard in
2005 when state officials were considering a ban on indoor smoking at
restaurants. Now, the watering hole established in 1956 is opting to
go smoke-free. But there has been in shift in public opinion,
Maloof says. Business is suffering because of Manuels smoking
policy, he added. I know definitely in January of 2014, well
be 100 percent smoke-free, he says.

Tobacco use is one of those topics sure to get passionate responses,
both from those for and against it. No matter which side you
fall on, its a fact that across the United States, universities
and health systems are making the choice to create healthy living and
working environments for students, faculty and staff. Ever since Ozarks
Technical Community College in Springfield, Mo., became the nations
first smoke-free college campus in 2003, more than 1,100 campuses have
followed suit. The Center for Tobacco Policy foresees that nearly all
college campuses in the United States will be 100 percent smoke-free
in 10 years, according to a CNN report. Its estimated that more
than 3,500 hospitals, health-care systems and clinics are smoke-free.
Georgia Regents University kicks off its smoke-free campus campaign
March 20, which is appropriately named Kick Butts Day. Our goal is for
our entire campus to be smoke-free by fall 2013.

ALBANY, GA (WALB) - Smokers may soon have to put out their cigarettes
before they even get to the parking lot at Albany's airport. Southwest
Georgia Regional Airport is considering a ban on smoking anywhere on
its property. The airport director and other officials will discuss
the proposed ban during the aviation commission meeting next week. But
not everyone's thrilled about the potential changes. Smoking is already
prohibited inside airport terminal, but policy makers are discussing
the benefits of an outdoor ban as well. If the proposal passes, no one
will be able to smoke anywhere on the airport's property.

In addition, the restaurant and bar also plans to comply with
requests from customers and event coordinators and be completely smoke-free
by next January. A plan is underway to be completely smoke
free by January 2014. Customer request and event coordinators continue
to mention smoking as a problem here. Within a month the only smoking
area available at Manuel's will be in the main bar and that will end
in January 2014. .

About five years ago, Buddy Nelms decided he'd had enough. The owner
of the popular nightclub The Loft was tired of his clothing and hair
reeking of cigarette smoke at the end of each day, and tired of the
way secondhand smoke from his patrons made him feel. "When I ran
the club, I would come home and take my clothes off on the back porch
before I walked into the house," he said. "The smoke would
permeate everything, even your hair and I'm a non-smoker."
Then one of his favorite visiting musicians told him he wasn't coming
back because the smoke was too much for him. "I had a realization
that I was keeping a lot of real good people from enjoying some of the
great music we do," he said. "I was letting the smoke make
the choice, not the programming." Banning smoking hurt his business
at first, but he'd made up his mind. "It was a scary place for
me, but I was done with it," Nelms said. "My business dipped
down. It frustrated a lot of people. People swore up and down that they'd
never be back -- long-term friends of mine. But the bottom line is,
they came back."

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW) -- You can see the signs in the windows. They say
"No smoking within 25 feet," but those restrictions are about
to get stricter. In a matter of months, the Summerville campus students
won't be able to smoke at all. "I want to transfer," blurted
out student Miguel Cruz when he found out his campus is going tobacco-free.
It's a drastic response to what some students are calling a drastic
change to Georgia Regents University's Summerville campus rules.

Starting today there will be no more smoking in parks located in DeKalb
County. On Tuesday, the county commission approved a proposal to ban
smoking at playgrounds, parks and public service lines like those for
ATMs.

The Georgia State University Senate on Thursday, Oct. 18 approved a
ban on smoking and tobacco use on the majority of the university campus
to promote health for students, faculty, staff and the public.

The impending merger of Augusta State and Georgia Health Sciences universities
will have unexpected effects on student smokers. Gina Thurman, the acting
assistant vice president for student services and assistant dean of
students, addressed Augusta States Student Government Association
Friday and informed them that the administration of the new university
has decided to extend GHSUs tobacco ban to the Walton Way campus
after the universities merge. GHSU went tobacco-free in 2007, Thurman
said, and many other Georgia universities, including Emory University
and Armstrong Atlantic University, have adopted similar policies.

A Bibb County Commission committee approved a measure Tuesday that would
ban smoking in all parks and recreation centers. The full commission
is expected to OK the ban Tuesday night. The smoking bank would not
affect Lake Tobesofkee, where patrons camp and often stay overnight.

Park patrons in DeKalb may soon be banned from smoking. The DeKalb County
Board of Health is asking county leaders to approve a smoking ban for
a number of designated outdoor areas. The goal of the ban is to reduce
exposure to second-hand smoke.

Smoking Ban Debate Continues in Stone Mountain
The smoking ordinance debate in the City of Stone Mountain burns on.
Up for discussion again at Monday night's work session, this time council
members and others talked about whether smoking should be prohibited
at city parks and city events, such as the Blue Grassroots Festival
and Movies on Main, bringing up the possible effect on children, people
with allergies and asthma, and others.

The Georgia Department of Public Health says 87 of the state's 181 school
districts, or 48 percent, are on board. Under the policy, no student,
staff member or school visitor is permitted to use any tobacco product
or E-cigarette, at any time on school property.

Augusta Republicans say they want city government to butt in, when in
it comes to putting butts out. And, I was very surprised that
it came overwhelmingly in favor of creating a smoking ban, said
Augusta Commissioner Corey Johnson.

you are currently paying $600 per month for their second-hand smoke.
That is what your insurance premiums and taxes are paying today (after
my co-pay and their "volume discount" adjustment) for my COPD
medication. I have never smoked

With the end of summer semester approaching, the commencement of Armstrongs
new tobacco-free campus policy is looming ahead. The policy is scheduled
to start Aug. 1, though many questions as to how the university will
implement and enforce this policy are still unanswered. However, Armstrongs
timetable for implementation states its now in its final stages
of preparation.

But most change has happened on a local level. This is
a matter of cities and counties changing the social norms around the
role of tobacco in the South, said Cynthia Hallett, the executive
director of Americans for Nonsmokers Rights. Because of
the history of tobacco farming, change was slower to start. But its
happening quickly now. Last year, Americans for Nonsmokers
Rights gave Alabama health officials an award because cities there passed
more antismoking ordinances than in any other state. (Mississippi finished
second, then Kentucky.)

The Atlanta City Council voted this week to ban smoking in public parks,
joining Alpharetta ... From the size of your soft drink cup to banning
McDonald's Happy Meal toys, .... choice has a negative impact on several
others, it should be banned.

Officials say the ban was supposed to go into effect Monday. ... to
scrap the entire ordinance, which would have banned all tobacco use
in the city. ... The council members in February passed a new ordinance
banning smoking in Norcross, ...

The Norcross City Council will meet for its July work session and council
meeting Monday. The tobacco free ordinance, along with other
agenda items, are on the ... Do you think the council will come to a
decision on the Tobacco Free Ordinance?

Members of the Stone Mountain city council shared their thoughts --
some of them strong -- on whether a smoking ordinance for the municipality
is a good idea or not during Monday night's work session at City Hall.

A few weeks ago, Norcross councilman Ross Kaul announced that an ordinance
to prohibit smoking in all city parks would be proposed in the next
policy work session. "Secondhand smoking is worse for younger children
and the elderly than primary," said Kaul. ... As of early Monday,
75 percent of voters agree with the ban.

During the April meeting of Macon Countys Board of Commissioners,
commissioners unanimously approved a county-wide smoking ban at all
government owned facilities which are designated for recreational use.
All county recreational parks, including the Greenway will now be smoke
free.

This secondhand smoke exposure study tested urine and salivary cotinine
samples among nonsmokers who frequented patios and building entrances
of bars and restaurants where smoking is allowed in Athens, Georgia.
The authors found that salivary cotinine and urinary 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanol
(NNAL) increased significantly in nonsmokers following outdoor secondhand
smoke exposure, indicating that such exposure may increase the risk
of health effects associated with tobacco carcinogens.

Health advocates have scheduled a news conference for 11:30 a.m. Thursday
to respond to the Augusta Commission's rejection of a stricter ordinance
last month and to announce an education plan on the dangers of secondhand
smoke.

was done. Venetico said members of the Independent Restaurant
and Bar Association this year advocated against a proposed smoking ban
in the city of Augusta. Its not just the state level you
have to look

Fortunately, Chatham County Commissioner Harris Odell said he plans
make amends today by voting to clear the air and improve the publics
health. Last month, Mr. Odell came out in opposition of a proposed county
ordinance that would have banned smoking in bars and private clubs in
the county's ...

Middle and high school students from across the state gathered at the
Georgia National Fair Grounds Nov. 11-12 to launch a statewide, youth-led
campaign to establish 100% tobacco-free schools policies in Georgia's
public schools. ...

Tougher new smoking regulations could be on the way in the Garden City.
As we first told you, new regulations would ban smoking in all public
places. I spoke with a few local folks across the CSRA and found out
what they thought about this possible new law. ...

The primary mission of government is to protect the health, safety
and welfare of its constituents, so the good health of DeKalb
Countys citizens should be one of the Board of Commissioners
(BOC) highest priorities. ...

DeKalb Countys Board of Commissioners has deferred a vote to expand
the anti-smoking ordinance in order to take into consideration businesses
whose revenue may suffer if customers are prevented from smoking. ...

Costen worries that money could dry up if Dekalb County intrudes on
the fantasy world at Strokers Entertainment Club  where men are
encouraged to drink and light up a cigarette or cigar as they enjoy
the show -- by strengthening its smoking ban to ...

The Columbia County Board of Commissioners approved a revision to an
anti-smoking ordinance Tuesday that now bans lighting up a cigarette,
even outdoors, on most county-owned properties. The revision received
initial approval earlier ...

Welsh, puzzled by the confusing exchange, asked if the smoking ordinance
was placed on the agenda or not. Timley said it wasn't -- but that the
committee could be overruled at Tuesday's council meeting, and the smoking
ordinance could be referred to ...

A proposed smoking ban in DeKalb County plan is finding opposition from
an unlikely group -- some non-smokers. A growing number of people have
begun using electronic cigarettes as a way to kick the tobacco smoking
habit. E-Cigarettes use a battery to ...

It was encouraging to hear the other day that Bibb County Commissioner
Sam Hart is going to start broaching the topic of passing a smoking
ordinance similar to what's being discussed in the city of Macon. ...

Two weeks after getting stubbed out on the floor of Macon City Council
chambers, an ordinance to further tighten anti-smoking rules is ready
to ignite again -- with some changes and possible cooperation with Bibb
County. ...

In addition to banning smoking in all offices, it forbids smoking in
parking garages, private clubs, taxicabs, waiting areas for public transit
and outdoor seating such as bleachers, and, of course, bars and restaurants.
Smoking would be allowed at ...

Macon's mayor is deciding whether to sign an ordinance that puts new
restrictions on smoking in the city. Mayor Robert Reichert has said
he isn't sure whether to veto the ordinance or let it take effect. The
city council approved new restrictions by a ...

Protesters from Club Kaos took a stand against the smoking ban and stood
outside Macon City Hall with signs and petitions. The group collected
more than a hundred signatures in just a couple days. Spokesperson for
the group, James Holden says they're ...

ATLANTA, GA (WABE) - Smoking in bars, restaurants and most public places
in DeKalb County could soon be against the law. Thursday night, the
DeKalb County Board of Health voted to recommend adoption of a "comprehensive"
smoking ban. ...

Modeled on the ban that went into effect Jan. 1 in Savannah, the proposed
ordinance would forbid smoking in all restaurants and bars except in
designated outside seating. It also prohibits smoking hotel rooms and
health-care facilities, ...

Smoking in restaurants or other public places that serve or employ people
under 18 has been banned in Georgia since 2005. The new ordinance would
be more restrictive and would not allow smoking in public places
and places of public accommodation. ...

Councilman Rick Hutto, one of the co-sponsors, said restaurants and
bars would still be able to offer outdoor smoking areas, even if the
smoking ban passes. Other cities with similar rules generally say that
such bans improve business rather than harm ...

If you wonder about Savannah's ability to get over major public controversies,
consider the smoking ban. The Savannah Smokefree Air Act was one of
the biggest debates of 2010, but residents have accepted and even embraced
the new common ...

Perry said a resolution from the Parks and Recreation Commission will
be coming to council soon, banning smoking in areas such as pools, athletic
fields and dog parks, but not on the Greenway. It states, no tobacco
use... within 25 feet of organized ...

Business operators, and not Savannah-Chatham Metropolitan Police, will
be the primary enforcers of the City of Savannahs new Smokefree
Air Ordinance.

SCMPD Police Chief Willie Lovett said his officers will enforce the
law by issuing citations when patrons of businesses refuse to comply
with the ordinance, but they will not be patrolling restaurants and
bars in search of violators.

We will issue citations when the business owners alert us that
patrons are refusing to abide by the ordinance, but we do not have the
manpower to seek out these violations, Lovett said ...

They are out there, hunching their shoulders against a steady wind and
near-freezing temperatures. At noon Saturday, expect to see many more
smokers stepping into weather of all degrees when the city's new smoking
ordinance takes effect. ...

Effective Jan. 1, under an ordinance approved Thursday by City Council,
the era of smoke-filled bars will be gone. Cigarette smoke will vanish,
too, from a host of other public spaces and buildings that still allowed
smoking under exemptions to the 2005 Georgia Clean Air Act.

Savannah's ordinance was endorsed by Mayor Otis Johnson and initiated
by Healthy Savannah, the American Cancer Society and the American Lung
Association, who stressed its value in reducing exposure to secondhand
smoke.

It hasn't been that long since it was considered both legal and acceptable
to light up a cigarette in restaurants. Thanks to statewide clean air
laws, society has come to accept that someone who wants to smoke in
restaurants and other public places simply needs to step outside.

Unfortunately when the legislature passed the Georgia Smoke-free Air
Act in 2005, special interest lobbyists attached themselves to lawmakers
like remora on a big fish, and the final bill included loopholes big
enough to drive a cigarette truck through. ...

Savannah's City Council already seemed aware of the countless studies
that show secondhand smoke is dangerous.

But they still politely listened Thursday afternoon to nearly a dozen
advocates for creating a smoke-free Savannah who offered statistics
proving the lethality of secondhand smoke.

Likewise, the mayor and aldermen seemed well aware of how important
it is to business owners for the city to properly define "reasonable
distance" and "outdoor common areas" in any ordinance
that would restrict smoking in restaurants and bars, from downtown to
Savannah's southside and all points in between.

And yet, despite several public hearings and countless e-mails, letters
and phone calls from constituents both for and against the measure,
some new concerns surfaced during the ordinance's first reading.

Such as, who is responsible for enforcing these rules?

And what if restaurant owners or managers feel uncomfortable taking
on that enforcement role?

And who would enforce smoke-free policies when it comes to large public
gatherings, such as outdoor concerts the Savannah College of Art and
Design sponsors at Forsyth Park at the end of each school year. ...

THE QUESTION about whether Savannah bars should go smokeless isn't
a case of restricting rights for businesses that cater to the public.

Instead, it's a matter of boosting public health.

For that reason, we support the effort to snuff out smoking inside
local drinking establishments. Clearing the air - literally - will be
a breath of fresh air for many workers forced to breathe secondhand
smoke as a condition of their employment and for customers who don't
like to mix their Jack Daniels with the Marlboro Man.

At the same time, however, we encourage Savannah City Council to be
sensible about how the proposed restriction would be applied.

A measure to ban smoking is bars is expected to be introduced at today's
scheduled City Council meeting and have its first reading. The council
has already held two public meetings on the proposal. Thus no one can
accuse elected officials of not giving everyone in the hospitality industry
an opportunity to voice their opinions.

Here's ours: Pass the ordinance. It's a logical extension of the city's
1994 ordinance that requires smoke-free areas in restaurants and public
places and a similar statewide law adopted in 2005. ...

The city of Savannah will hold one last public hearing Aug. 12 on Smoke-Free
Savannah, the day the ordinance is read for the first time.

City officials say the strict smoking ban, which would eliminate smoking
in all businesses, including bars, hookah and cigar bars, and outdoor
seating areas, plus outlaw smoking 20 feet from any entrance, could
see some changes after the first reading of the ordinance.

Two previous public hearings on the issue raised questions about the
implimentation [sic] of the law in Savannah, and some city council members
have told WTOC they would like to see a compromise, eliminating the
ban on smoking 20 feet from any entrance, plus outdoor seating and for
businesses, like hookah bars, who are already in business.

The ordinance was an initiative of the Kennesaw Youth Council, an eight
member team of high school students who provide the Mayor and Council
with a teen perspective on city matters and it gained the support of
the Cobb County Health Department.

The ordinance covers all kinds of tobacco products containing biologically
active amounts of nicotine. It specifically states that retailers are
responsible for determining the age of anyone attempting to purchase
tobacco products. Vending machines dispensing tobacco will be prohibited
in retail establishments unless the business limits admission to anyone
age 18 and over. ...

A proposal to limit where smokers in Savannah can light up continued
to draw loud support and opposition Wednesday night.

The proposed ordinance would ban smoking in all Savannah workplaces,
including bars. Areas within 20 feet of business entrances, playgrounds,
bus stops, and outdoor restaurant seating would also be off limits.

About 30 people lined up at the city's quarterly town hall meeting
Wednesday night to voice their opinion.

Several business owners have raised both economic and safety concerns
about the plan. ...

Savannah's City Council is considering a very controversial change
to the city's smoking ordinance that would ban smoking in many places
where it is now allowed. On Wednesday - the first of several public
hearings on the proposed changes was held at City Hall. More than a
dozen people stood up to speak at the meeting - many downtown business
owners - by far the majority speaking out against the proposed changes.
...

Smoke-filled bars and the cigar-laden air in private clubs could vanish
into cleaner air if a new ordinance endorsed by Mayor Otis Johnson passes.

Johnson is supporting an initiative from Healthy Savannah, the American
Lung Association and other organizations that would close loopholes
in the 2005 Georgia Clean Air Law.

The Savannah proposal would eliminate smoking in all bars and restaurants,
private clubs, retail tobacco stores and long-term care facilities.
It also would prohibit smoking within 15 feet of the entrance of any
public building.

Under the 2005 law, bars and restaurants that do not hire or allow
access to minors may continue to allow smoking, as can establishments
that have private rooms with separate air-handling systems for smoke.

Smokers may not be able to light up inside public buildings around
Savannah under a proposed smoking ban.

Smoking would be banned in all public buildings around Savannah, including
bars, if the city council approves.

Mayor Otis Johnson launched the Healthy Savannah initiative in 2007,
with a goal of making the city a healthier place to live by 2012. Johnson
said achieving that goal means Savannah needs to take on the issue of
smoking and the dangers to the health of smokers and non-smokers.

"If someone in 2010 doesn't understand the dangers of smoking
and they want to smoke, then they have a right to kill themselves if
they want to, but they don't have the right to kill other people,"
said the mayor.

The Roswell City Council changed direction Monday night and approved
a total ban on smoking in city parks.

The council voted for the ban after considering different ways to limit
park smoking, such as requiring people to light up in parking lots or
inside their cars with the windows rolled up. The city's Recreation
Commission urged a total ban. . . .

In the metro area, the city of Marietta and Clayton and Henry counties
have enacted total smoking bans in parks.

Among the topics of discussion during the Healthy Savannah Initiatives
first community health forum, hosted at the Civic Center two weeks ago,
was the desire to strengthen the restrictions on smoking put in place
by the Georgia Smoke Free Air Act of 2005, which banned smoking in most
restaurants and workplaces across the state.

The state law left open several loop holes, including exceptions for
bars, as well as some restaurants with designated smoking areas.

Wed like to close that loophole because of the dangers
of second hand smoke, particularly to the employees, says Cristina
Gibson, the Director of Health Promotion and Disease Prevention with
the Coastal Health District (CHD). There is no risk free level
of exposure to second hand smoke.

In the battle against lung cancer, heart disease and emphysema, among
others, the Healthy Savannah Initiative (HSI), with help from the CHD
and the foundation Americans for NonSmokers Rights, would
like to join the hundreds of communities across the country that have
nixed smoking from bars and restaurants.

Our goal is to get to city council this month with a model ordinance,
says Paula Kreissler, owner of the Wound Care Clinic and incoming chairperson
of the HSI. Thats the whole push here. Second hand smoke
is whats driving all this. ...

Dalton State College has joined the ranks of other tobacco free campuses
in the University System of Georgia.

"Our original plan wasn't to do that," said student body
president Daniel Sanchez. "What we really wanted to do was what
the students wanted."
Last fall, 67 percent of respondents with DSC e-mail addresses -- including
both students and faculty -- voted in a survey to eliminate all forms
of tobacco everywhere on campus. According to an American Lung Association
report, there are 14 other University System of Georgia colleges with
tobacco-free campuses. ...

Indoor smoking bans have forced smokers at bars and restaurants onto
outdoor patios, but a new University of Georgia study in collaboration
with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention suggests that these
outdoor smoking areas might be creating a new health hazard.

The study, thought to be the first to assess levels of a nicotine byproduct
known as cotinine in nonsmokers exposed to second-hand smoke outdoors,
found levels up to 162 percent greater than in the control group. The
results appear in the November issue of the Journal of Occupational
and Environmental Hygiene.

"Indoor smoking bans have helped to create more of these outdoor
environments where people are exposed to secondhand smoke," said
study co-author Luke Naeher, associate professor in the UGA College
of Public Health. "We know from our previous study that there are
measurable airborne levels of secondhand smoke in these environments,
and we know from this study that we can measure internal exposure.

"Secondhand smoke contains several known carcinogens and the current
thinking is that there is no safe level of exposure," he added.
"So the levels that we are seeing are a potential public health
issue."

Athens-Clarke County, Ga., enacted an indoor smoking ban in 2005, providing
Naeher and his colleagues and ideal environment for their study. ...

Joining their colleagues at the Department of Mental Health, state
prison officials said Monday that they, too, plan to ban the use of
tobacco at Department of Corrections facilities.

Corrections Commissioner Brian Owens told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
on Monday that the agency will begin a phase-out of tobacco use beginning
Jan. 1.

Its 2010 in a few days and its time to do the right
thing, Owens said.

Unlike Mental Health, which told the AJC that it will implement a total
smoking ban in all seven state mental hospitals on Jan. 5, Owens said
that beginning Jan. 1 smoking and tobacco use will be banned at two
diagnostic facilities where inmates are evaluated after being transferred
from county jails to the state prison system.

Then, on July 1, 2010, the Augusta State Medical Prison  where
the systems sickest inmates are housed  will go tobacco
free, followed by a total tobacco ban in all state prisons beginning
Dec. 1. ...

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution has learned that the state plans to
ban smoking in the seven state mental hospitals on Jan. 5, a steep challenge
considering the high percentage of smokers among those with mental illness.

But Tom Wilson, spokesman for the state Department of Behavioral Health
and Developmental Disabilities, said the measure will make the patients
and facilities healthier. He also said the ban could advance patients'
treatment, helping them to give up an often addictive habit.
Wilson acknowledged the challenges, pointing to national statistics
that show 75 percent of people with mental illness or addictions smoke,
and that nearly half of the cigarettes consumed in the country are smoked
by people with mental illness.

Powder Springs
The city conducted the first public hearing for a proposed ordinance
to ban smoking at city-sponsored events on the town square, specifically
the Fourth of July and Christmas celebrations. Mayor Pat Vaughn said
Hillgrove High School senior William Wizner proposed the ordinance as
part of a school project. ...

The Roswell City Council voted unanimously a couple of weeks ago to
ban smoking in the city parks, but now they can't agree whether to let
folks smoke in their cars, in the parking lot or just a total ban.

One difficulty arose over what is the definition of a vehicle 
could that include a motorcycle or a bicycle? Councilwoman Becky Wynn
wanted "to nail that down."

Mayor Jere Wood repeated his concern that without a designated place
for smokers  either in their cars or in the parking lots 
the city would be driving folks away. ...

On Tuesday, July 28, an Atlanta City Council committee will discuss
the long-planned sustainable building ordinance, a beast
of a bill that dictates green-building standards for new construction.
Supporters say it could make Atlanta one of the most environmentally
friendly cities in the country.

The legislation  which has been in the works since last summer
 is a key part of the Sustainable Atlanta Initiative, a multi-pronged
approach to meet Mayor Shirley Franklins goal to reduce the citys
carbon footprint. (PDF of Sustainable Building Ordinance) Included in
the ordinance are water-conservation measures, energy-efficiency guidelines,
material requirements and various other green-building standards. ...

The Marietta City Council voted unanimously Wednesday to ban smoking
in Marietta Squares Glover Park.

Council members voted on the ban a week after they received complaints
about excessive smoking on the square during a concert. The ban was
sponsored by council members Annette Lewis and Holly Walquist. ...

GAINESVILLE - It is now against the law to smoke in a Gainesville City
Park.

City Council passed the no smoking amendment to its Recreation and
Parks ordinance Tuesday morning during their regular voting session.
Smokers are now barred from lighting up in any city park; that includes
sports complexes and outdoor recreation areas.

Long time 'smoke free' advocate, Councilman George Wangemann, called
it a victory.

"This is a great victory for Gainesville and its citizens,"
Wangemann said. "This is a pro-health ordinance and I think most
people should be very pleased with what we've done here today."

The
story, stripped across the top of an inside page of The Telegraph, reported what
legitimately can be described as a "national milestone."

"For
the first time in the nation's history," the Associated Press story said,
"more than half of Americans live in a city or state with laws mandating
that workplaces, restaurants or bars be smoke-free, according to Americans for
Nonsmokers' rights."

The article, published Jan. 20, explained that
30 years after the organization began as a "quirky" movement in Berkeley,
Calif., the push to ban public smoking had achieved a "national milestone."

The city
of Loganville may be a small town, but it has made a big impression nationally
because of its strong stance against indoor smoking.

On Thursday, the mayor
and council were presented with the "100 Percent Smoke-Free Award of Excellence"
from Americans for Nonsmokers' Rights, a national nonprofit based in California.
The plaque was presented to city officials by Smoke-Free Gwinnett on behalf of
the national organization.

The award recognizes communities that implement
smoke-free indoor air laws, protecting workers and patrons from exposure to second-hand
smoke.

Mayor
Gene Matthews and the Loganville, GA City Council receive the ANR 100% Smokefree
Award of Excellence in October 2003 for Loganville's 100% smokefree workplace
and restaurant law.